• Registered: 2006-09-13
  • Posts: 441

Topic: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

Up until a couple weeks ago, I had a beautiful sounding vintage MusicMan tube amp in my 8x8 studio that I used for lessons.  I have since switched over to a Fender Princeton because it is smaller and if anything happened to it, I wouldn't be devestated.  I forgot how noisy this amp was--I guess the MusicMan spoiled me.  The problem is that it seems to generate so much static electricity!  I have my guitar on a wall mount behind my chair and maybe that's not the best choice.  Keep in mind though that I only have an 8x8 room to work with here so the more I have off the floor, the better.  The problem is everytime I stand up, you can hear a "wave" of static.  Nine times out of ten I even get a mild shock.  It has never happened to any of my students, so maybe having my guitar behind me is not my best choice, I don't know.  Why the Fender but not the MusicMan--I don't get it? 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to eliminate this?

"There is nothing to it.  You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself."---Johann Sebastian Bach

2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-02-05 20:33:24)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

You know those hard plastic things they throw on carpet in offices so you can roll around on your chair? They make static free ones. You might want to put your amp on that? Or it could be your amps polarity, or it could be the wiring where you have it plugged in.

One thing I've thought about trying:

The "battery Backup" power strips they make for computers. they're huge like a brick though. They're made for if your server or computer was on, and the power went out - the battery would let it run for 30 more minutes, or allow you to shut it down properly. These also have a 'power conditioner' in them so the power you're getting is the best and constant flow of energy.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

3 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2008-02-06 20:45:01)

  • Rocket
  • Rocket
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
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  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
  • Posts: 10,276

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

It sounds weird just reading your description.  can you clarify the "wave" of static...Do you mean it's a rolling sound of krackling/whoosh/snaps noises? It's sounding more like a defect in one of the amp components.  The shock is when you what? Touch the guitar, or the amp itself?!

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

Rocket wrote:

It sounds weird just reading your description.  can you clarify the "wave" of static...Do you mean it's a rolling sound of krackling/whoosh/snaps noises? It's sounding more like a defect in one of the amp components.  The shock is when you what? Touch the guitar, or the amp itself?!

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

If it's only happening in the morning.....it could just be your playing guitar and eating Rice Krispies at the same time!  Snap*Crackle*Pop!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2006-09-13
  • Posts: 441

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
Rocket wrote:

It sounds weird just reading your description.  can you clarify the "wave" of static...Do you mean it's a rolling sound of krackling/whoosh/snaps noises? It's sounding more like a defect in one of the amp components.  The shock is when you what? Touch the guitar, or the amp itself?!

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

If it's only happening in the morning.....it could just be your playing guitar and eating Rice Krispies at the same time!  Snap*Crackle*Pop!

lol

I told my husband and he laughed at me and told me I was crazy that's why I came here to ask. smile  It usually doesn't happen when I touch the guitar or the amp.  It happens when I stand up from my chair.  I usually stand up after each lesson to get the door and greet my next student.  Could it be that maybe the static isn't coming from either, but rather my clothing?

Remember when you were a kid how you shuffle your feet real fast and touch someone to give them a shock (or do we only do that in Wisconsin)?  It's feels like that and you can hear krackling and pop sounds coming from the amp.

I dunno, maybe I am crazy!

"There is nothing to it.  You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself."---Johann Sebastian Bach
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

Methinks your footwear is the cause of the problem and you need some sturdy rubber wellington boots to stomp around the house in. wink

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

Maybe hubby should inspect your bottom...wait that didn't come out right. 

Got a cell phone in your pocket? 
Get a 3 to 2 ground remover adapter plug and try that.  Some amps and some room wiring just don't get along, but if it only happens when you move past it, something electrical or electronic is passing through the wave range.  Like cell phones or wireless laptops and radios or amps.

Just a thought.  a guess really.

Much Love
Jeff

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
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Blues From the Bottoms

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  • Rocket
  • Rocket
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  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
  • Posts: 10,276

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

I have to agree with you gsj.  Try going barefoot fret and if it goes away it's definitely the cause.  I say barefoot because some footwear, rubber included still are prone to static charge buildup. Your clothing if wool, silk, or synthetic, and moreso if loose fitting, can be contributing as well as long hair, brushing it especially, or just moving your arms and legs around a lot.  Example-tapping your toes to the music can build up a charge on a sneaker.  Next is the room too dry?  Winter air inside is too dry.  Humidity should be 30% at least (put some bowls of water on registers and near heaters, etc.).  Finally you can consider ionizing the air.  Good luck.

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

gsj wrote:

Methinks your footwear is the cause of the problem and you need some sturdy rubber wellington boots to stomp around the house in. wink

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”
  • Registered: 2006-09-13
  • Posts: 441

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

Rocket wrote:

I have to agree with you gsj.  Try going barefoot fret and if it goes away it's definitely the cause.  I say barefoot because some footwear, rubber included still are prone to static charge buildup. Your clothing if wool, silk, or synthetic, and moreso if loose fitting, can be contributing as well as long hair, brushing it especially, or just moving your arms and legs around a lot.  Example-tapping your toes to the music can build up a charge on a sneaker.  Next is the room too dry?  Winter air inside is too dry.  Humidity should be 30% at least (put some bowls of water on registers and near heaters, etc.).  Finally you can consider ionizing the air.  Good luck.

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

gsj wrote:

Methinks your footwear is the cause of the problem and you need some sturdy rubber wellington boots to stomp around the house in. wink

Yeah!  Look, they even have Valentine prints for girlies--Sweeeeeeeeeeet!

http://shoes.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsi … oots.co.uk

My kids have boots like these cause we live in the country with a big back yard and I encourage them to be kids and get dirty.  We call them "muddies".

Thanks Rocket.  I'm going to try bringing my hubby's ionizer to my studio for awhile to see if that makes a difference.

"There is nothing to it.  You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself."---Johann Sebastian Bach
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

Fretwork wrote:

Remember when you were a kid how you shuffle your feet real fast and touch someone to give them a shock (or do we only do that in Wisconsin)?  It's feels like that and you can hear krackling and pop sounds coming from the amp.

I dunno, maybe I am crazy!

in grade school in wisconsin, all the kids would join hands and all rub our shoes to the floor to get a shock to go through as many kids as possible.


i dunno, you could try using Bounce dryer sheets and wiping your clothes with them, they're supposed to take out the static. ALSO, computer techs wear anti-static bracelets.  not sure how that works...

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-01-25
  • Posts: 20

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

Fretwork wrote:

Up until a couple weeks ago, I had a beautiful sounding vintage MusicMan tube amp in my 8x8 studio that I used for lessons.  I have since switched over to a Fender Princeton because it is smaller and if anything happened to it, I wouldn't be devestated.  I forgot how noisy this amp was--I guess the MusicMan spoiled me.  The problem is that it seems to generate so much static electricity!  I have my guitar on a wall mount behind my chair and maybe that's not the best choice.  Keep in mind though that I only have an 8x8 room to work with here so the more I have off the floor, the better.  The problem is everytime I stand up, you can hear a "wave" of static.  Nine times out of ten I even get a mild shock.  It has never happened to any of my students, so maybe having my guitar behind me is not my best choice, I don't know.  Why the Fender but not the MusicMan--I don't get it? 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to eliminate this?

Are you lighting up your students? That may work to your advantage.....
Maybe install a resistor somewhere......
That would allow you to shock the good students less than those guys who were out chasing girls rather than practicing.

  • From: Kansas
  • Registered: 2007-10-12
  • Posts: 375

Re: Eliminating Static Electricity from Amps

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

ALSO, computer techs wear anti-static bracelets.  not sure how that works...

Well I know the anti-static bracelets we have to wear for ESS parts you have to be grounded, which means you have to plug in a damn wire to your bracelet.  Not exactly guitar player friendly.

Well, the night I was born
Lord I swear the moon turned a fire red